Pouring Tea

[Safroot]

I'm amazed anyone in this country still knows about this one.

Here is what it actually is.

When considering a new pupil a master will pour the student a cup of tea. If you drink it you will never train at that school ever. It is a test of breeding and to see if you understand requisite traditions to be accepted.

Basically if you accept and drink the tea you have reduced the sifu to a servant. The proper protocol is to take the tea the master has just poured and serve it to him. This shows proper etiquette, good breeding and that you are knowledgeable of the myriad traditions and customs of Chinese culture. It also means you will now be considered for admission to that particular Kwoon or cultural club.

Sometimes, but not always, a follow up gesture of the master inviting you to pour yourself a cup of tea indicates you being accepted or at least strongly considered for membership.

This practice was especially common in foreign locations like Ching Wu schools established outside of China in the early 20th century and in US Chinese cultural clubs of the mid 20th century where students who may be of Chinese decent may not have been raised with the traditions of the mainland.

It was apparently a common practice in Hong Kong once it became a mecca for foreigners seeking knowledge of Chinese boxing styles in the 1970s. It was sometimes used as an excuse (along with about a dozen other possible cultural "tests") to exclude westerners from being accepted for training.

Some credit Sifu Ark Wong, who first accepted non Chinese pupils as early as the 1960s (some claim it was the 1950s), as the first Kung Fu master to explain the various traditions associated with his art.

Solid post ... very interesting to know

[SteyrAUG]

Solid post ... very interesting to know

If I'm ever on Jeopardy and one of the categories is "Obscure Martial Arts Trivia" I'll be coming home a very rich man.

[AdamKralic]

In Taiwan the elderly have many cultural benefits when in any social eating situation with younger guests. And to be perfectly clear: pretty much all social situations involve eating and or drinking.

You will get passes for being white and therefore ignorant...but if they tell you a tradition...follow it to the letter immediately and you will make everyone very happy.

Be careful of the most senior at the table...if he is of a mind to get you drunk...you will be drunk faster than a freshman frat boy at his first kegger. He says "gambai!" and holds up three fingers? You drink 3 shots to his one. Goooooooooood Luck because he can do that all night long.